Bobby Selvaggio Short Bio
Bobby Selvaggio is one of the leading alto saxophone voices on today's jazz scene. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound.”
Bobby, who grew up in the Cleveland area, earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kent State University. He eventually moved to New York City and earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music. While in New York, Bobby studied with Joe Lovano, Bobby Watson, Dick Oatts, and Maria Schneider.
After living in New York City and gigging around town at places like the Vanguard, Smalls, and Birdland for four years, Bobby decided to move back to Cleveland with his family. Northeast Ohio has become his home base of operations where Bobby has toured extensively throughout the US and Canada with various working ensembles and musicians. He has dedicated himself to keeping jazz alive in Cleveland and his passion for jazz education has led him to serve as Director of Jazz Studies at Kent State University.
In addition to his work in jazz education, Bobby continues to expand his discography. His most recent recording is Live From the Bop Stop (Dot Time Records, 2020) and features a jazz quartet and wind/brass quartet. As said by Downbeat (receiving 3 ½ starts): “The appeal of Selvaggio’s work stems as much from his dexterous playing as his clean writing”. Quantum Man (Dot Time Records, 2016) features a Jazz Quartet, String Quintet, Voice, and Percussion. As said by Downbeat (receiving 4 ½ stars): “Even at its most abstract, the highly textured, refreshingly unpredictable Quantum Man is persuasive and moving”. Quantum Man was also chosen “Best of 2017” by Downbeat. Follows is Short Stories (Origin Records, 2014) featuring Aaron Goldberg on the piano, Way of Being (Arabesque Records, 2013), Grass Roots Movement (Arabesque Records, 2011) featuring guitarist Nir Felder, Modern Times (Arabesque Records, 2009) featuring Kenny Werner on piano and Sean Jones on trumpet, and Unspoken Dialogue (Playscape Recordings, 2007) featuring Kenny Werner, as well as Jamey Haddad on drums, Ben Street on bass, and Paul Tynan on trumpet; all musicians Bobby has actively performed and recorded with over the last 25 years.
In addition to playing alto saxophone, Bobby also plays soprano saxophone, alto clarinet, flute, and is a composer, arranger, and jazz clinician. Bobby Selvaggio is an Eastman Saxophone Artist and a Jody Jazz Mouthpiece endorser.
Bobby Selvaggio Quotes
“Bobby Selvaggio is one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound. He carries you with him on his journey through these original compositions and has put together a fantastic group for his new release. I’ve known Bobby for some time and it’s very exciting for me to hear his development, and see his passion and drive through the years grow and grow……Carry on Bobby!!!! That’s what it takes.” Joe Lovano
“Bobby’s CD was really something special. It’s not often that a composer sets up tunes and situations that make the band and every soloist sound special, but once we understood Bobby’s compositions, each and every one of them started to make us sound brilliant. Also, for my money, Bobby is among the best of players out there!” Kenny Werner
"Bobby Selvaggio's saxophone and warm yet bracing compositions star on what may be his most adventurous album. Even at it's most abstract, the highly textured, refreshingly unpredictable Quantum Man is persuasive and moving" 4 1/2 stars Downbeat - Best of 2017
"Throughout the album (Quantum Man), Selvaggio shows that he is not only a performer at the top of his game but also a composer fully in command of his craft." Jazz In Europe
"For Selvaggio's part, let it be said that he largely succeeds at providing what he calls a "sonic adventure for the listener." The strings never feel adjunct, but indeed serve a vital role in fleshing out the textures of these unique compositions. The opening "Vanishing Thoughts" (Quantum Man) is simply stunning, with jabbing piano chords ushering in a soaring unison line by Bobby's alto and his wife Chelsea's wordless vocals." All About Jazz
“... Selvaggio demonstrates that he is not only able to play, but also can stay. His playing goes
beyond the realm of technical proficiency and into the realm of the creative. This is a guy, and a
work, worth hunting down and hearing ....” Music-Reviewer.com
Bobby is an Eastman Saxophone Artist.
Bobby is a Jody Jazz Mouthpiece Artist.
**Website Photos Courtesy of Heidi Rolf**
Downloadable PDF of Bobby Selvaggio Reviews and Quotes